The beginning of each school year cause concern and anxiety for millions of parents, children, young people, teachers and other professionals. but even more so in a pandemic situation. In a pandemic situation these concerns are even more important. Below are the main guidelines of the portuguese education and health authorities that are being applied in educational and extracurricular activities establishments, with the necessary adaptations. Access It is limited to students, teachers, and non-teaching staff in the establishments. Any exceptions must be planned and monitored by the school. Cleaning and disinfection All spaces and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected more frequently and there must be alcohol / gel dispensers placed at the entrance of each room and in the corridors / circulation spaces. Organization and operation in ‘bubble’ Whatever the type of establishment, children or students should be organized in smaller groups / classes and thus develop their activities, always in the same rooms and circulation spaces and in their specific schedule; These schedules should be, whenever possible, different from those of other groups, to limit contact between groups of students as much as possible. If the school architecture allows, there will always be separated entry and exit circuits; The formation of student groups varies depending on the school and its conditions (space, ventilation, number of students, etc.). Mask Mandatory use from 10 years old and permanently (can only be taken to eat or in other types of very specific cases); The World Health Organization advised, however, that each country consider the possibility of making mandatory mask since the age of 6, a measure that Portugal may adopt, depending on the evolution of the pandemic. Classrooms Students have a marked place in classrooms, at tables arranged as close as possible to the walls and windows, at least one meter apart from each other and all oriented in the same direction (there can be no U-shape or other arrangements, so that students do not face each other forward); Tables and rooms should not have decorations: only what is strictly necessary for recreational or educational activities. Isolation room There must be one in each establishment, for students, teachers and other professionals who have symptoms of covid-19 (fever, cough or difficulty breathing). Canteens The ideal is that one student uses one table, or two students, but placed in diagonal (without facing each other). Physical education classes It can be done without a mask, in smaller groups and always with a 3 meters distance between students and privileging individual activities and without sharing equipment. Aeration and ventilation Whenever possible there should be a good ventilation of spaces, preferably natural, through the opening of doors or windows. When air conditioning is available, it must work in the form of extraction and the equipment must be cleaned more regularly. School supplies and books They are for individual use and cannot be shared (unless they are disinfected between uses). Toys or other personal objects Avoid taking everything that is not strictly necessary, including toys or other personal items, to schools. References: Orientação da DGS nº 024/2020, atualizada a 20/07/2020 Orientação da DGS nº 032/2020 (de 14/06/2020) Orientações ano letivo 2020/2021, DGEstE (Direção-Geral dos Estabelecimentos Escolares), Direção-Geral da Educação e Direção-Geral da Saúde The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
